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The Fisherman Piping
The Fisherman Piping

Chapter I · The Flute and the Net

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

A fisherman hauls a net of leaping fish onto a sea rock after setting aside the flute that failed to attract them.
Context Illustration Reading 1/1 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,
he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,
which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,
made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:
O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Fisherman Piping

Chapter I · The Flute and the Net

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

Reading 1/1 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,
Line 2
he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,
Line 3
which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,
Line 4
made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:
Line 5
O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

flute noun US /fluːt/

a musical instrument in the shape of a thin pipe that is held sideways and played by blowing

From this reading “A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,”

haul noun US /hɔːl/

an amount of fish or other things caught or collected at one time

From this reading “made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:”

melody noun US /ˈmelədi/

a sequence of musical notes that forms the main tune of a piece of music

From this reading “he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,”

All words in this reading · 75

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

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From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

about

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From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

accord

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

an

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From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

and

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From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

aside

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From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

At

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From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

attracted

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

below

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From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

but

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From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

by

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

casting

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From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

ceased

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From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

creatures

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From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

dance

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

do

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From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

excellent

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From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

fish

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

FISHERMAN

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From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

flutenounUS /fluːt/

a musical instrument in the shape of a thin pipe that is held sideways and played by blowing

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

haulnounUS /hɔːl/

an amount of fish or other things caught or collected at one time

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

have

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

having

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

he

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

hope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

into

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

laid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

last

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

leaping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

long

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/

a sequence of musical notes that forms the main tune of a piece of music

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

merrily

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

music

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

net

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

nets

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

O

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

on

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

perverse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

piped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

placed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

played

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

projecting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

rock

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From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

sea

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

seashore

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

several

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From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

skilled

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From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

so

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From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

Standing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

their

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

them

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

took

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,

tunes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

vain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

waited

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

When

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:

which

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,

would

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: A FISHERMAN skilled in music took his flute and his nets to the seashore. Standing on a projecting rock,
Narrator: he played several tunes in the hope that the fish, attracted by his melody, would of their own accord dance into his net,
Narrator: which he had placed below. At last, having long waited in vain, he laid aside his flute, and casting his net into the sea,
Narrator: made an excellent haul of fish. When he saw them leaping about in the net upon the rock he said:
Narrator: “O you most perverse creatures, when I piped you would not dance, but now that I have ceased you do so merrily.”